SIL is a space engineering company that specializes in the design
and manufacture of satellite products, subsystems and complete small
satellites, which generally weigh between 50 and 500 kilograms. This
type of Earth orbiting satellite is often used for scientific and
remote sensing applications. They could also form the basis of
satellites for constellations similar to Teledesic, Globelstar and
Iridium.
SIL recorded sales of approximately 745,000 U.K. pounds and
profits of 20,800 U.K. pounds according to unaudited company records
for the six-month period ended June 30, 1998. Based on current
exchange rates, this is approximately $1.25 million in sales and
approximately $35,000 in profits.

Jan. 14, 2000 -- SpaceDev Inc. the world's first commercial space
exploration and development company, and Space Innovations Limited (SIL), a wholly owned SpaceDev subsidiary in
Newbury, England, today announced that SIL management has reacquired the company from SpaceDev.
Commenting on the decision, SpaceDev Chairman Jim Benson stated:
``During the past year it became clear to the boards of
SPDV and SIL that continued joint operations was not of sufficient
long-term benefit to either firm, due primarily to the stringent
U.S. State Department restrictions on the transfer of technology-related
information implemented about a year ago. At times we
found it difficult to discuss basic marketing strategies or product
enhancement plans with our own employees.''
Professor Leonard Culhane, chairman of SIL, said: ``We all thought at the time that this acquisition would be synergistic and
would benefit both firms, but the environment changed unexpectedly. We look forward now to assisting SpaceDev as a
customer rather than one of its subsidiaries.''
In October 1998, SpaceDev acquired 100 percent of SIL via a stock-exchange agreement. The SIL acquisition was one of
several strategic moves made by SpaceDev during the past 18 months to position it as a worldwide, integrated provider of
affordable, reliable space missions involving small satellites. The decision to rescind the merger agreement was made final on
Dec. 17, 1999. Terms of the amicable separation agreement include a re-exchange of common stock and Culhane relinquishing
his seat on SpaceDev's board.

SIL found itself in very deep financial trouble. There were severe cash flow problems - they didn't have the money to complete the work they'd contracted to do. It was necessary that they get stuff out of the door, regardless of quality, just to get progress payments to keep the doors open. They could always remediate it later, after the immediate crisis had passed.

But not only did they cut corners, they tried to make the circles rounder. Components that would never have passed even the most basic Quality Assurance checks at the first stage of production went through to the end. What they produced and delivered wasn't just shoddy - it was junk.

What was delivered wasn't usually repairable. It was industrial waste. So we had to build the components ourselves, to SIL's design. You see, before they got into financial difficulties, they produced really good product, both in design and manufacture.

What you see there was made after they fired their highly talented team of competent staff, and got pretty much anyone present on site to attempt Rocket Science. Cleaners, Managers, Apprentices, Trained Monkeys for all I know. But not the SIL scientists who made the company what it had been - a by-word for excellent space engineering.

Monday, 8 December 2014

The video shows booster separation of the Japanese H2A at 12:15:40, the Japanese ADEOS-2 at 12:16:20, the Australian FedSat at 12:16:40, the Japanese MicroLabSat at 12:17:00 and WEOS at 12:17:20

That was 35 years since the previous Australian Space Programme, and the previous Australian Spacecraft, WRESAT in 1967. We were world leaders then, just as FedSat is still the most complex and capable MicroSat ever launched. And just as with FedSat, the powers that be decided that our future was in digging holes in the ground, not out in space.

About Me

Actually, I am a Rocket Scientist.
Also hormonally odd (my blood has 46xy chromosomes anyway) and for most of my life, I looked male, and lived as one, trying to be the best Man a Gal could be. Anyway, in May 2005 that started changing naturally for reasons still unclear, and I'm now Zoe, not Alan : happier and more relaxed not to have to pretend any more.
UPDATE - reason now identified as the 3BHSD form of CAH.

Reviews

This blog, written by a rocket scientist, is a fascinating collection of information, both personal and scientific, regarding intersex, transsexualism and related psychosocial and psychosexual issues....It is erudite and heartfelt. Just read the posts about the passport issue. You won't know whether to laugh, weep or crawl into a ball and rock gently in a corner - an amazing person.- David---The reason I so appreciate bright, perceptive people - as opposed to ideologues whose intelligence does little to illuminate - is that they manage to both instruct and learn with a certain grace. Among such rarities in the transblogosphere is Zoe, whose direct speech and clear humanity always make her worth reading, even if one doesn’t always agree with her every conclusion.- Val---The following is a request for permission to archive your A.E.Brain blog site which we have wanted to do for several years...The Library has traditionally collected items in print, but it is also committed to preserving electronic publications of lasting cultural value....Since (1996) we have been identifying online publications and archiving those that we consider have national significance....We would like to include A.E.Brain blog site in the PANDORA Archive...-Australian National Library